Gabby Petito’s mom has issued a heartfelt plea to those watching the new Netflix docuseries about her daughter’s tragic death.
The tragic story of Gabby Petito is back in the spotlight with the streaming service’s latest true crime docuseries, American Murder: Gabby Petito.
The three-part series, released on Monday (February 17), explores the heartbreaking case that gripped the nation in 2021.
Watch the trailer below:
Petito, a 22-year-old travel vlogger, went missing while on a cross-country trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. While she never returned, Laundrie made it back to his parents’ home in Florida and refused to cooperate with authorities.
A massive search effort was launched, and weeks later, Petito’s remains were discovered in a remote part of Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest, and an autopsy confirmed she had been strangled to death.
About a month after the content creator’s death was confirmed, Laundrie’s remains were found in a nature preserve near his family’s home on October 20. A medical examiner ruled that he died due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Officials also discovered a backpack containing what the FBI described as a notebook “claiming responsibility” for Petito’s murder.
In his version of events, the late man claimed that Petito was injured from a fall and that she was in “extreme pain,” which is why he “ended her life, I thought it was merciful,” as cited by The Independent.
The docuseries features interviews with Petito’s loved ones, excerpts from her diaries, and chilling text messages, including the one that first raised red flags for her mother.
As renewed attention is focused on the heartbreaking case, Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, wants viewers to remember the devastating reality behind the documentary.
“When you watch the documentary, remember that this is a real person, this is a real family, it’s a real story, and it’s real life,” she told NewsNation. “It’s not just true crime. This can happen to anyone. We never in a million years thought this would happen to our family.”
Nicole and her husband, Jim Schmidt, have since dedicated themselves to raising awareness about domestic violence and coercive control, hoping to prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak.
In a deeply personal revelation, the mom also shared that she has found the strength to forgive her daughter’s killer – not for him, but for herself.
“I have forgiven Brian, and I know that is what Gabby would have wanted, and I’m moving forward so I can move on,” she said. “That is my personal experience. I don’t think everyone has to forgive. They can when they are ready if they are ever ready. But for me personally, I needed to forgive to let that anchor go.”
Her husband echoed her sentiments, adding: “Forgiveness is for you. It is for your healing. For your grief. For you to be able to move on.”
Since its release, American Murder: Gabby Petito has sparked an emotional response from viewers.
“This Gabby Petito Netflix doc has me on the verge of tears,” one user wrote, while another said: “The Gabby Petito documentary on Netflix is so heartbreaking to watch. So so sad.”
A third added: “I had already read a lot about the Gabby Petito case, but the new true crime documentary from Netflix still really moved me and made me angry. Such a poor young woman who still had her whole life ahead of her… He didn’t get the punishment he deserved !”
American Murder: Gabby Petito is now streaming on Netflix.
